Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes: How Long To Cook?

Air fryers are a great alternative to using an oven to make jacket potatoes, as they are more energy-efficient and quicker. The length of time it takes to cook a jacket potato in an air fryer depends on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer. Generally, a large potato will take between 40 and 50 minutes to cook in an air fryer, and a small potato will take around 40 minutes. You can speed up the cooking time by microwaving the potato first and then transferring it to the air fryer to finish cooking and get crispy.

How to prepare potatoes for air frying

Preparing potatoes for air frying is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Potatoes

Select the right type of potatoes for air frying. Look for potatoes that are uniform in size, free from blemishes, and have a higher starch content. Examples include Russets, Yukon Golds, and Red potatoes.

Step 2: Washing and Cutting

Give the potatoes a good wash to remove any dirt or chemicals. You can leave the skin on for added crispness and nutrients, but if you prefer peeled potatoes, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to carefully remove the skin. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes or halves if using baby potatoes.

Step 3: Seasoning

Place the potatoes in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any other neutral high smoke-point oil. Ensure all the potatoes are well-coated.

Now it's time to season! You can use a variety of seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder or granules, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, or even cajun seasoning for a kick. Give the potatoes a good toss to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 4: Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F (195°C) for about 5 minutes if desired, but it's not necessary. Place the seasoned potatoes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.

Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes, then use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip them. Cook for another 10 minutes or so, until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Step 5: Serving

Remove the potatoes from the air fryer and place them in a serving dish. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and serve with your favourite dips or toppings. Enjoy!

Air fryer temperature and time

The ideal temperature for cooking jacket potatoes in an air fryer is 200°C (400°F). The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potato and the model of the air fryer, but it typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes for a large potato to cook through.

For best results, it is recommended to prick the potatoes several times and coat them in oil, salt, and pepper before placing them in the air fryer. This helps to ensure a crispy skin and flavourful potato. It is also important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as the potatoes need space to crisp up.

During the cooking process, it is a good idea to check on the potatoes after 20 minutes. If they are browning too quickly on one side, use tongs to turn them over and check again after another 20 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.

To speed up the cooking time, you can microwave the potatoes on high for 8 to 10 minutes before air frying. If you choose to do this, check the potatoes after 15 to 20 minutes of air frying to ensure they don't overcook.

Once the potatoes are cooked, the skin should be crisp and the inside should be tender and fluffy. You can serve them with your favourite toppings, such as butter, cheese, baked beans, or tuna mayonnaise.

How to serve jacket potatoes

Jacket potatoes, or baked potatoes, are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here is a guide to help you serve them to perfection.

Preparation

First, select the right type of potato. Look for potatoes labelled as 'baking potatoes', or opt for a large floury variety such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Russet. Give your potatoes a good scrub, as you'll want to eat the crispy skin. Then, prick the potatoes several times, or slice a cross shape about 1/4-inch deep into each potato. This will help to release steam and make the interior fluffier. Next, coat the potatoes in oil—a neutral high smoke-point oil like avocado oil works well—and season generously with salt and pepper. The salt will help the skins crisp up.

Cooking

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C for 40-50 minutes, or until a sharp knife can be easily inserted. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes, and if they are browning too quickly, turn them over using tongs. If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooking process by microwaving the potatoes for 5-7 minutes before transferring them to the air fryer to finish cooking and crisping up.

Serving

Once your potatoes are cooked to perfection, carefully slice them in half lengthwise and use a fork to fluff up the insides. Add a knob of butter to each potato, and then it's time for the toppings! Here are some classic combinations to try:

• Beans and cheese: Try classic baked beans, homemade beans, or even British Heinz baked beans. Finish with grated cheese.
• Sour cream and chives: Add some chopped bacon bits for extra flavour.
• Tuna mayo: A simple yet tasty combination.
• Chicken and gravy: For a heartier option, top your potato with chicken and sausage gravy.
• Chilli: A spicy topping that will add a kick to your potato.
• Salad: For a lighter option, serve your jacket potato with a crisp salad of iceberg lettuce, sliced carrots, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and your choice of dressing.
• Roasted vegetables: Try roasted broccoli florets with a squeeze of lemon, or roast carrots or Brussels sprouts.
• Spinach: Creamed spinach is a delicious and healthy option.
• Beef ragu: Break open your potato, add beef ragu and cheese, and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is crispy.

How to speed up cooking time

The cooking time for jacket potatoes in an air fryer is typically between 40 and 50 minutes. However, there are ways to speed up the cooking process if you're in a hurry. Here are some tips to reduce the cooking time:

Microwave Pre-Cooking

One effective way to reduce the cooking time is to partially cook the potatoes in a microwave before transferring them to the air fryer. This method can significantly reduce the overall cooking time. For example, you can microwave one potato for 8 minutes or two potatoes for 10 minutes, and then place them in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes to achieve the desired crispiness.

Air Fryer Settings

Another way to speed up the cooking process is to adjust the settings on your air fryer. Some air fryers have a "crispy" setting that can help you achieve the desired level of crispiness on the potato skin without extending the cooking time.

Potato Size and Type

The size and type of potato you choose can also impact the cooking time. Opting for smaller potatoes will reduce the overall cooking time. Additionally, certain types of potatoes, such as large starchy potatoes like King Edwards or Maris Piper, are better at absorbing heat, resulting in a shorter cooking time.

Oil Usage

Using oil efficiently can also help speed up the cooking process. Coating the potato skins with oil before placing them in the air fryer can help achieve crispier skin faster. Oils with high smoke points, such as avocado oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, are recommended for withstanding high temperatures without burning.

Air Fryer Temperature

Increasing the temperature of your air fryer can also reduce the cooking time. Most recipes recommend setting the air fryer to 200°C/400°F for cooking jacket potatoes. However, increasing the temperature by 20-50 degrees can help speed up the cooking process, but be sure to monitor the potatoes closely to avoid overcooking or burning.

By combining these methods, you can significantly reduce the cooking time for jacket potatoes in an air fryer, making it a quicker and more efficient option for a delicious and crispy treat.

Potato varieties for air frying

Air fryers are perfect for cooking potatoes, as they make the outside crisp and the inside soft and tender. The circulating air crisps the outsides with a golden crust, and the insides become soft, tender, and flavourful. The air fryer also reduces the amount of oil required to cook the potatoes, making them a healthier option.

When choosing potatoes for air frying, it is important to select those that are uniform in size and free from eyes and blemishes. Here are some of the best potato varieties for air frying:

Russets

Russet potatoes are a great choice for air frying as they crisp up wonderfully, with a pale golden colour. Their insides become soft and fluffy with a mild flavour, making them a good all-rounder.

Yukon Golds or Yellow Potatoes

Yukon gold or yellow potatoes are a favourite for air frying because they crisp up perfectly and turn a deeper golden colour due to their lower starch and higher sugar content. The crisp of these potatoes will be slightly softer than russets, but their insides will be creamy and full of flavour.

Reds

Red potatoes will turn an even darker golden brown because of their high sugar and low starch content. They will be crispy when they first come out of the fryer but will soften quickly. Their insides will be creamy and soft.

Baby Potatoes or New Potatoes

Baby potatoes, or new potatoes, are regular potatoes that have been thinned from the crop early. They have a high sugar content and hold their shape, roasting perfectly in the air fryer. They can be hard to find in grocery stores as they are somewhat seasonal, but they usually become a favourite for those who try them.

Fingerlings, Baby Russets, and Baby Red Potatoes

These varieties of "new" potatoes, which are harvested before they are fully grown, have thinner skin, which is great for achieving a crispy texture.

Maris Piper or King Edward

If you can't find potatoes labelled as "baking potatoes", go for a large floury potato such as Maris Piper or King Edward.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are also a good option for air frying. Just be sure to scrub any residual dirt from the potato before cooking, and allow it to dry.

Frequently asked questions